The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. Photo taken Wednesday 4/20/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise less

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. ... more

Photo: Ryan Pelham

Image 31 of 63

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. Photo taken Wednesday 4/20/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise less

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. ... more

Photo: Ryan Pelham

Image 32 of 63

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. Photo taken Wednesday 4/20/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise less

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. ... more

Photo: Ryan Pelham

Image 33 of 63

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. Photo taken Wednesday 4/20/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise less

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. ... more

Photo: Ryan Pelham

Image 34 of 63

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. Photo taken Wednesday 4/20/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise less

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. ... more

Photo: Ryan Pelham

Image 35 of 63

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. Photo taken Wednesday 4/20/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise less

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. ... more

Dan Patrizi at Patrizi's Other Place restaurant. Enterprise archive photo

Dan Patrizi at Patrizi's Other Place restaurant. Enterprise archive photo

Photo: Ryan Pelham

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Vic Patrizi at his restaurant, Patrizi's Other Place Enterprise archive photo

Vic Patrizi at his restaurant, Patrizi's Other Place Enterprise archive photo

Photo: Ryan Pelham

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Dan Patrizi at Patrizi's Other Place restaurant. Enterprise archive photo

Dan Patrizi at Patrizi's Other Place restaurant. Enterprise archive photo

Photo: Ryan Pelham

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Diners at Patrizi's Other Place restaurant. Enterprise archive photo

Diners at Patrizi's Other Place restaurant. Enterprise archive photo

Photo: Ryan Pelham

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The Longhorn Bar Enterprise archive photo

The Longhorn Bar Enterprise archive photo

Photo: Ryan Pelham

Image 45 of 63

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. Photo taken Wednesday 4/20/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise less

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. ... more

Photo: Ryan Pelham

Image 46 of 63

The Lantern Lounge Enterprise archive photo

The Lantern Lounge Enterprise archive photo

Photo: Ryan Pelham

Image 47 of 63

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. Photo taken Wednesday 4/20/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise less

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. ... more

Photo: Ryan Pelham

Image 48 of 63

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. Photo taken Wednesday 4/20/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise less

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. ... more

Photo: Ryan Pelham

Image 49 of 63

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. Photo taken Wednesday 4/20/16 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise less

The former location of Gallagher's Steakhouse next to the Maury Meyers Bridge in Beaumont has fallen into disrepair. The building was condemned by the city in February, according to a notice placed on the door. ... more

A Mauriceville restaurant remembered for its soft, warm, buttery dinner rolls and "mile-high" meringue pies is making a comeback.

A building that sat vacant for 5 years at the corner of Texas 12 and Texas 62, will reopen as Tuffy's in "mid to late May," said owner Van Choate.

The drive to Mauriceville requires effort for those who don't live nearby, Choate said. "So we're going to make it worthwhile."

Diners can expect baskets of fresh rolls - made from the same recipe as before - to arrive as soon as seated, Choate said. Southern staples like chicken-fried steak will be on the menu, alongside Cajun dishes of gumbo, etouffee, barbecue crabs and catfish.

His first restaurant, the Cajun Cookery in Orange, was ruined in 2005 by Hurricane Rita.

The namesake of Tuffy's was Donald Bishop, manager and nephew of original owners Janet and James Linscomb, Choate said. The Linscombs opened Tuffy's in 1985 and sold the business to Mike Hamilton in 1990, according to previous Enterprise reporting.

Hamilton used the moniker "Tuffy" in his campaign to become a state representative.

Choate and his wife Josette purchased Tuffy's in 2005 and sold it in 2010, according to previous Enterprise reporting. Two years later, Tuffy's shuttered.

Choate understands why Hamilton took on the nickname "Tuffy" during his campaign, but said he wants to use the reopening as a chance to "set the record straight."

A section on one of the restaurant's walls will display the history of Tuffy's, including photos from Bishop's family.